Press Release: Friday 9 October 2026
Monthly waiting list figures – September 2026
The latest hospital waiting list figures were published today by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The information is available on the NTPF website through an interactive visual tool which provides a user-friendly way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
The figures published today show some positive signs, including a continued reduction in the number of patients on the Inpatient / Day Cases (IPDC) list since the end of July. However, recent waiting lists have been impacted by the ongoing trend of higher demand and increased referrals, which has offset the significantly increased levels of activity that are being delivered in acute hospitals.
Demand for scheduled, or planned, care has increased significantly in recent years, exceeding both pre-pandemic levels and demographic expectations. While the health service aims to prevent waiting lists from growing, higher levels of referrals can also indicate better access to necessary care, increased awareness of available services, and expanded service provision. Growth in the levels of diagnostic activity being achieved may also be contributing to this increased demand.
The multi-annual Action Plan approach initiated in September 2021 is focused on improving waiting times for patients, and the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) 2026, embodies the Government’s commitment to reducing waiting times for patients, thereby improving access to hospital care.
The health service has seen significant progress in reducing the length of time patients are waiting under the multi-annual Action Plan approach, including a reduction of circa 47% or c. 133,000 less patients waiting over 12 months since September 2021. In the same period there was an improvement of c. 43% or 5.2 months in the Weighted Average Wait Time (WAWT) that patients across lists have been waiting from 12.2 months to 7.0 months. However, it is acknowledged that this longer-term progress has been affected by the more recent demand challenges.
The WTAP for 2026 sets out 36 actions under three themes that will help to reform waiting lists and provide benefits for patients. Centralised referrals and pooled waiting lists are being implemented under the theme of “Reforming Planned Care.” A number of digital and enabling technologies are being progressed under the theme of “Enabling Planned Care,” including continued expansion of virtually-based patient engagement and further roll-out of features within the Health Service Executive (HSE) Health App. Planned care capacity is being maximised under the theme of “Capacity Optimisation,” including the additional activity being delivered through the new surgical hubs.
These WTAP actions will work in tandem with the delivery of increased capacity, and with emerging clinical and technical innovations as part of a more integrated approach to planned care delivery, including:
- Targeted innovation in new clinical approaches including transnasal endoscopy.
- The National Clinical Care Programmes to upskill General Practitioners and deliver more services in primary care, for example, Advanced Acne training (Dermatology) and Minor Surgery Skills (ENT).
The Department will continue to work with the HSE and the NTPF to improve waiting list performance to year end, ensuring the WTAP actions are fully implemented, and that innovative approaches to care delivery are being maximised.
Engagement has commenced on the development of the WTAP for 2027, which it is envisaged will encompass a continued focus on reducing waiting times, through service reforms, productivity and efficiency improvements, and enhanced capacity.